Marcus Rashford Wins Pride Of Britain Award For Free School Meals Campaigning

Marcus Rashford has won the Pride of Britain award for his tireless campaigning to end child food poverty.

The 22-year-old has fought hard for free school meals for disadvantaged children across the country and has never given up, despite rejections and criticisms from MPs.

These efforts have already earned him an MBE and the respect of the nation - and now he's got a Pride of Britain award to add to his trophy cabinet too.

Mirrorpix/Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards

On receiving the award, the Manchester United and England forward said: "Ultimately no kids should miss meals. For me that should be just standard no matter where you come from. If we get that as the new normal then we have made a lot of strides forward.

"I attended Pride of Britain last year so I was able to see firsthand just how deserving the recipients of the awards are.

"I am extremely humbled but I'd like to think that I am receiving this award on behalf of all of the incredible people who have selflessly stepped up to support their communities during this pandemic. I have met many of them and I am no more deserving than them."

Mirrorpix/Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards

He continued: "Parents who have sacrificed everything to feed their children during this challenging time, people who are volunteering at the FareShare food banks day in and day out, people who are fighting to protect our most vulnerable children every minute of the day.

"It is those people who really make me proud to be British and really define us as a United Kingdom.

"So today, I accept this award on behalf of all of those who step up without the need for thanks and accolades. I appreciate every single one of you."

Rashford has gained support from numerous local businesses in his campaign to provide free meals for kids, who stepped in when MPs voted down a motion to extend free meals over the school holidays 322 to 261.

If you or someone you know is struggling to feed their kids, you can find the businesses, services and organisations offering free meals over the school holidays near you by entering your postcode into this school meal finder.

You can watch Rashford MBE receive his award in the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards on ITV at 9pm on Sunday (1 November).

Topics: UK News, Awesome, Inspirational, Marcus Rashford

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey